Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-06-22
A: the Tomb of Mother Eve.

With the exception of those whom
business takes thither, the ports of the
Red Sea are but seldom visited By
Europeans. Nor Is this to be wondered
at when we consider the evil reputation
in which that part OF the world has
long been held by travellers. And yet
during the first three months of the
year it would be hard to find a more
perfect climate, and the country on
either side of the sea Is at least as full
of interest, as many of the better known
tourist-tracks. Jeddah is easily reached
from Suez by the steamers Of the Khe-
devich Company, which accomplishes
the journey in from three to four days.
During thepilgrim season the steamers
call at Tor on their way to and from
Jeddah. Here there Is o large sano.
torium and quarantine station for the
use Of the Hadjis returning from their
pilgrimage to Mecca, and a govern.
ment doctor and company of soldiers
are stationed here by the Egyptian
Government. Tor is the most con-
venient landing place for people desir-
Gus of visiting Mount Sinai, which is
only thirty-flve miles distant. Soon
after leaving Tor, the island of Shadu.
sag is sighted, and after passing It. a
straight course is steered for Jeddah
The city of Jeddah is built In the form
of a square, with the south side facing
the sea. On the three sides which
looks landward, the city is protected
by high wall, a gate on each side
forming the only means Of entrance
to, or egreSs from the city. A regi-
ment of Turkish soldiers stationed
here mounts guard at these gates,
which are closed about two hours after
sunset. The streets of Jeddah are
narrow, and, as rule, dirty, but the
for these defects. The prevailing archi-
lecture, which is as picturesque as it
is unique, cannot fail to strike the
visitor who will also be impressed with
the vast size of many of the buildings.
Imagine lofty, five-StOried house,
built entirely of white coral. Dotted
about its sides, in all sorts OF unex-
pacted places, and of the most varied
shapes and sizes are numerous hang
ing windows. The entrance to the
house is usually guarded by large
folding doors. elaborately ornamented
with brass work, much OF which is
really very fine, and would do credit
to skilled European workmen. The
ground floor Of the house is devoted to
the camels. goats and other livestock
belonging to the owner, though in the
case of merchants, part of this floor is
also put aside for offices. Each Of the
upper stories OF the house contains, as
a rule, 4 complete suite OF apartments,
it being a common custom for sever al
to dwell under one roof. The
roons are large, according to European
ideas, and owing to their huge WIN
dows are admirably adapted to a hot |
The roofs of the houses are |
al hat and form pleasant places to sit |
In the cool Of the evening. From |
them fine views are obtained of the |
sea and land. But if You
would see Jsddah to perfection, "go |
visit 1t by the pale moonlight. Then |
the view from the housetop is a verit-
able fairy scene-such depth of light |
and shade, such fantastic shadows!
Below, in the narrow streets, the heavy |
seem to defy the pale moon
light to enter, while beyond the white
walls of the city, the dreary desert is
lit up as brightly rs the MONDAY sun. /
AS in most eastern towns, the centre
of life in Jeddah, is the Bazaar. Here
beats the pulse of the city. Here, the
current news is discussed and CON-
mented on. Here the merchants buy
and sell, and haggle over their bargains.
the morning there is per-
feet Babel of voices. Owing to the large
number of pilgrims who pass through
Jeddah, on their way TO Mecca, the
bazaar IS far larger than the Size Of
the town would lead you to expect:
it consists of one broad thoroughfare
about half mile in length, lined on
either side with shops and cafes. and
covered IN with coarse mating, as a
protection from the suns rays. Out
Of this main thOroughfare lead
numerous small streets, each street,
IS a rule, being occupied by the
wo: kmen at some particular trade, or
the venders of similar wares. All
are represented; but
Turks, Greeks and Syrians predomi-
nate. Every type and variety Of the
Arab race IS to be met with In the ba-
sque Bedouins, armed to
The teeth; grave merchants from Medic
,nd other far-Off towns, true aristo-
,rats in appearance and mien; swarthy
Nub.ans and degenerate Egyptians; all
.hese, and many others, mingled with
Persians, Turks, Greeks and Banians,
form indeed motley crew.
The only industries peculiar to Jed
lah-and they are hardly worthy of the
name-are the manufacture OF black
coral into brads and cigarette holders,
and the ornamentatlon of pearl she'll.
The former, which is peculiar to this
part of the Red Sea, takes polish
squal to the finest jet, and is of consid-
,rable value. Excellent artificers in
silver, brass and iron are found in
Jeddah, the brass-work being fully
,qual to that for which Benares has SO
ong been famous. The Turkish shops
ire perhaps the most brilliant with
their amber ami embroidered robes.
Altogether the bazaar presents bright
md animated scene, and the contrast
5 great as you pass from it into the
deserted streets outside. Travellers
rom Jeddah to Mecca pass out of the
'ity by the northern or, as it is gener-
lily callel, the "Mecca Gate" Close
% this gate IS small bazaar, consisting
or the most part OF cook-shops, where
pilgrims buy their provisions for the
march to Mecca, During the pilgrim
eason a continuous stream Of caravans
,asses under the frowning archway; !
caravans composed Of Mussulmans
rom the most distant parts of the
world; from AfghanIstan, from Ceylon,
rom Burmah, and the Malay Penin-
lula; from the far-off waters of the
Blue Nile, over desert and sea, as
through fire and water, thousands press
Iearly to offer prayer at the birth
,lace of their prophet. No wonder,